Carrying case having link-supported trays



-Dec. 13, 1949 0. GOLD CARRYING CASE HAVING LINK-SUPPORTED TRAYS Filed Aug. 51, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 K) & m &

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Dec. 13, 1949 0. GOLD CARRYING CASE HAVING LINK-SUPPORTED TRAYS 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 51, 1946 INVENTOR.

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QZAJ Patented Dec. 13, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARRYING CASE HAVING LINK- SUPPORTED TRAYS 1 Claim.

This invention relates generally to improvements in folding cases such as sample cases, display cases and extensible and compartmented ladies handbags, but more specifically to a folding case comprised of a plurality of pivotally secured independent trays or compartments.

The main object of the invention resides in the provision of a folding case including sets of trays each connected together with a main base tray so that when the trays of either or both sets are extended laterally, the trays of each set lie in stepped relation to one another, the tops of the trays if open forming one substantially continuous exposure, thus fully displaying all the articles on the trays.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a set of trays so connected together that upon extension of any one tray laterally all the trays are moved in stepped and superposing relation to one another, thereby making substantially visible the contents in each component tray, and that upon full retraction of any one tray, all

the trays in the set assume a vertically aligned position to present a compact unit.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a folding case wherein the constituent trays forming a set on each side of the main base or tray are extensible by movement of the corresponding handle member to each set, and are retractable by opposite movement of the handle to each of said sets.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of a folding case wherein all of the movable component trays are simultaneously extensible and retractable.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a folding case which is economical to manufacture, efficient in operation, durable in use and aesthetic in appearance.

These objects and other incidental ends and advantages of the invention will hereinafter be set forth and pointed out in the appended claim.

Accompanying this specification are drawings showing a preferred form of the invention wherein corresponding reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and wherein:

Figure l is a view of a preferred form of folding case with a set of trays on each side of the main base tray and shown in extended position.

Figure 2 is a front view in elevation of the case shOWn in Figure 1 with each set of trays in retracted position.

Figure 3 is an end view of Figure 2 partly cut away.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of Figure 2 across the plane 44 thereof.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of Figure 2 across the plane 5--5 thereof.

In accordance with the invention and a preferred form thereof, the folding case is comprised generally of a main supporting tray generally designated by numeral A and comprised of side walls each designated by numeral it, a bottom wall i 5, end walls each designated by numeral 12, andcorner supports each designated by numeral i3 afiixed to the corners of the under face of bottom wall I I.

Sets of a plurality of superposed trays B and C are adapted to be pivotally secured to the side walls id of the main tray A, the trays B and C each having half the length of the main tray A and the same width so that when trays B and C of both sets are in retracted position, they stack up in vertical formation and in adjacent position as shown in Figure 2.

Tray B is provided with side walls each designated by iii, a bottom wall it and end Walls l1 while tray C is provided with similar side walls each designated by numeral 8, a bottom wall 19 and end walls 29. The uppermost tray (3 may be provided with a top wall having a fixed portion 2!, and a portion 23 pivoting as at 24 on 2] to serve as a cover member. The top tray C along the outer end wall may be provided with a handle 22 while the pivotal cover portion 23 may also be provided with a handle 25 to raise and close the same.

For purposes of pivotally securing each set of trays B and C to main tray A, a plurality of bars or links are provided which lie in parallelism and which are suitably spaced from each other. Thus link 25 oneaoh side of the side members I!) and iii of trays A and B is secured thereto as by pivots 2i and 23 While a link 29 extends from each side of the main tray A to the uppermost tray C and each is supported on pivots 30 on each side wall it, 3| on each side wall l5 and 32 on each side wall [8. The link 33 situated on each side of the side walls 15 and it of trays B and C is secured by pivots 34 and 35. 7

Independent means for extending and closing each set of trays B and C are afforded by means of a pair of handle members pivotally secured to the main tray A and operative upon the connecting links between the main tray A and the auxiliary trays.

Thus the handle for the case is comprised of a pair of pivotal frame members one disposed within the other and each secured to the side walls Ill of main tray A. The outer frame has a pair of side arms each designated by numeral 35 secured at the top by means of a handle in the form of a roller 31 affixed to the upper ends of side arms 36 by means of pivots 38. The side arms 36 adjacent the lower ends thereof are suitably pivoted to the side walls ill of tray A as by'means of a bolt 39 penetrating therethrough, the bolt having a suitable washer it at the inner end portion and an enlarged shank portion 4! terminating in an enlarged head d2. Each of the side arms 35 above the lower end is adapted to pivot on each of the shanks M at an orificed and enlarged cylindrical bearing portion 43, the lower end of each of said side arms terminating in a side arm continuation M. The lower end of side arm continuation 44 has pivoted thereto the end of a link d5 as by pivot t8, the opposite end of link 45 being pivoted as at ids-s to the link 25 at an intermediate position by means of a pivot 46a. Similarly the inner frame comprised of side arms at connected together at the upper ends by a handle member in the form of a roller member :33 secured to the side arms 4'! by means of pivots id is also pivotally secured to the side walls 56 of the main case A. Adjacent the lower ends of each of the side arms 4'! is an orificed and enlarged cylindrical hearing portion 58a lying inwardly of and in alignment with the portion 43 and is journalled on the shaft portion 49 of bolt 39. Extending downwardly from the bearing 38a is a side arm continuation Q9 inwardly disposed of side arm continuation dd and carries at the lower end a link 58 secured thereto by means of pivot 05. The opposite end of link 59 is secured to the link 2% of the opposite set of trays B and C b means of a pivot 51a.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, outward and inward movement of handle 37 governs the extension and retraction of the set of trays B and C on one side of main tray A through the operation of link 45, while handle it operative on link 5d governs the extension and retraction of the other set of trays B and C on the opposite side of main tray A.

It is thus seen that the folding case set forth in the above illustrations is of a construction which lends itself to a variety of uses for con- 4. venient portability, storing and display of goods, personal property, cosmetics, purses and the like. Moreover, the case may be decorated in any suitable manner and may be shaped according to requirements.

I wish it understood that minor changes and variations in the integration, material, location, shape and size of parts may all be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

A folding case comprising a base tray, opposite sets of oppositely extensible and normally superposed and vertically disposed trays on said base tray, a plurality of parallel and spaced connecting and pivoted links for the sides of the trays of each set connected to the base tray and connecting the component trays of each set, a pair of nested frame members each having a handle and side arms, each of the corresponding side arms of both frame members having a point intermediate its ends pivo-tally secured to the base tray at a common pivot point and pairs of oppositely disposed links pivotally carried at the lower ends of the said corresponding side arms, the opposite ends of said last mentioned links being pivotally connected to intermediate portions of certain of the connecting links of the corresponding sets of trays whereby on opposite movements of the frames, the sets of trays are oppositely extensible and retractable.

OSCAR GOLD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 722,771 Taylor Mar. 17, 1903 884,428 Strong Apr. 14, 1908 1,675,484 Coe July 3, 1928 2,347,270 Larsson l Apr. 25, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 26,568 Great Britain 1911 106,894 Great Britain June 14, 1917 761,773 France Jan. 13, 1934 

